The Road to Defcon 14 Paved in Blood

I hope Defcon does not suck.  When I go, I will definitely take pictures and report the cool stuff I see.

I went to Defcon 11 in 2003 and it was great even though the lines were ridiculous and some of the better events could only allow a certain number of people.  The ideas and talent I was exposed to put me into a whole different way of thinking.  I met up with a guy who claimed to work for the maphia! He wasn't happy about it and he said that his employer's didn't come out and say they were maphia, but he had very strong feelings that they were. 

Being the only brotha at the defcon willing to drink a (highly, highly overpriced) beer with him, he'd singled me out.  What is funny is this guy look A LOT like DMX.  We hung out and met some GS (civilian government) employees that claimed to be too old to party.    I could have crashed at his hotel (which was right in the center of it all) but I knew my wife would lose her flippin' mind if I didn't go back home (in laws house) and sleep with her.  

I was there strictly for the briefings so I really didn't party too much.  I do recall that some kid ODed, there was a very cool Hacker Jeapordy that was completely Hedonistic (i.e. naked women and Kevin Mitnick).  It was out of control.  

Before Defcon I saw all hacking as borderline or full blown criminal.  But now I know that all “hacking” is not criminal (although most people believe different).   

My love for technology and security were what drove me to check it out.  I went on my own.  Three years later with a degree and a high level of respect from my employers, I still can't get them to pay my way to Defcon.  (what is funny is that it would probably be easier to get them to send me to Black Hat, which is like $2000 as opposed to $100 for the Defcon.  Maybe I'll work that angle next year when they have more money).

I'm excited about going but I sincerely hope that it doesn't suck.  It would be much more fun if I could participate in an event.  But my skills are not even close to good enough.